Labour sets seven-day ultimatum for Greens over 'Zionism is racism' motion
Labour has told its councils to end power-sharing deals with the Greens unless local Green councillors disown the party's 'Zionism is racism' motion. The Equality and Human Rights Commission has also asked the party for more information about the motion and the complaints it has received.
Labour's ultimatum to local partners
Labour has asked every council group that shares power with the Greens to press its partners for written assurances that they reject the motion. Where a local arrangement exists, the Green councillors involved must make clear they reject the position and call on their national leadership to reconsider it. Those Green groups have been given seven days, and if they cannot provide the assurance, Labour will bring the arrangement to an end. According to the party, the ultimatum affects 17 councils in England and one in Wales. Party chair Bridget Phillipson framed the demand as a matter of principle and said she expected local Green groups to respond as a matter of urgency.
This isn't an issue of party politics; it's about doing what is right and upholding the values anyone holding public office should share.
- England
- 17 councils
- Wales
- 1 councils
The motion and Burnham's response
The motion, passed at the Green conference in Brighton on 4 October, equates Zionism with racism. It describes Zionism as a nationalist project that props up a Jewish state across historic Palestine at the expense of its non-Jewish residents. The text also opposes a two-state settlement and proposes one Palestinian state in place of Israel, with equal rights for all. Prime Minister Andy Burnham ruled out a partnership with the Greens on Wednesday, 14 October, while the policy remains in place, and he condemned the motion at Prime Minister's Questions.
It is wrong. It is antisemitic, and this side of the house will have nothing to do with it.
Green leader Zack Polanski has called the motion 'imperfect' and wants it amended. He faces the pressure after his party suffered a by-election defeat, and the motion has drawn criticism from inside his own ranks.
- Green Party conference passes the 'Zionism is racism' motion in Brighton
- Andy Burnham rules out a partnership with the Greens at Prime Minister's Questions
- Labour issues seven-day ultimatum to local Green partners; the EHRC confirms its letter to the party
The watchdog and MPs
The Equality and Human Rights Commission confirmed on Thursday, 15 October that it had written to the Green Party of England and Wales asking for more information, so it could assess the motion's practical implications and potential impact. It said it had received complaints alleging unlawful activity under the Equality Act 2010, including concern that Jewish people could face discrimination because of their beliefs. The regulator acknowledged that many Jewish people are likely to feel exposed following the vote. It said it would act where appropriate after reviewing the material it requested.
Dozens of Labour and Lib Dem MPs, along with Jewish campaigners, had earlier written to the regulator about antisemitism. Four of the five Green MPs criticised the motion, as did two former party leaders, one of whom called it 'dangerous' and 'divisive'. Separately, MPs said amendments to protect Jewish Green members at Zionist synagogues were voted down, and warned this could affect whether Jewish members can take part on equal terms.
The Green response
The party said it would not exclude or discriminate against people who hold Zionist views and that it remained committed to tackling antisemitism. Its spokesperson also hit back at Labour's move.
For the Labour government to conflate criticism of Israel with antisemitism is disappointing and wrong.
The spokesperson went further, accusing Labour of meddling in the party's internal democracy. The party's reply to the watchdog came on the same day the commission confirmed its letter.
